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How to Train a French Bulldog: 8 Tips & Tricks

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Girl walking a French bull dog and to train. Puppy jumping for treat

French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are known for their friendly and loving personalities, and they are intelligent and playful dogs that make great family pets. When properly trained, French Bulldogs can be very obedient and gentle dogs. The key to training a French Bulldog is to start early and provide consistent reinforcement. If you’re looking to add a French Bulldog to your family, this article will offer some tips on how to train them properly.

This breed needs plenty of exercise and training to be good family members, but with the right approach, training can be easy. By following these tips, you can have a well-behaved French Bulldog that loves to go on walks and play with you.

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Before You Begin

Before you begin to train your French Bulldog, you will need to gather some supplies. Training treats, a clicker (or another marker), and a basic obedience training book are all good ideas. You will also need plenty of patience, as training a French Bulldog can be a challenge!

The 8 Tips and Tricks to Train a French Bulldog

1. Start Training Early

French Bulldogs are very intelligent and can be trained at a young age. Training a French Bulldog can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is important to start training early to ensure that your dog grows up to be well-behaved. One of the benefits of training a French Bulldog when they are puppies is that it helps to create a strong bond between the dog and their owner. Additionally, puppy training can help teach your Frenchie basic obedience commands, which will make life much easier down the road.

Puppies as young as 12 weeks old can start learning basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, and down. Once your dog has mastered these commands, you can progress to more difficult tasks, such as walking on a leash. It is also important to begin housebreaking your puppy at an early age. Frenchy puppies are more responsive to training and will be easier to house train. Additionally, early proper obedience training and house training can help prevent future behavior problems from developing.

black french bulldog puppy
Image Credit: Mahnke, Pexels

2. Consistency is Key

There is no one definitive guide to training a French Bulldog specifically, but there are some general principles that hold true for all dogs. Make sure you are consistent with your commands and rewards to ensure your dog understands what you want from them. To train a French Bulldog, it is important to be consistent with the commands you are giving them. Dogs learn best when there is a clear structure and routine. If you are inconsistent with your commands, your dog will become confused and may not follow your instructions.

Dogs thrive on routine and knowing what is expected of them. If you are inconsistent, your dog will become confused and may begin to act out. So make sure you are clear about what you want your dog to do and training your French Bulldog will be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your pet.


3. Be Patient

Training a French Bulldog can be difficult, but it is worth it in the end. The absolute best way to train a French Bulldog will vary depending on the individual pet owners and the dog’s personality and temperaments. However, one important thing to remember is that patience is key when training any dog—French Bulldogs included! Be prepared to have some patience while they learn. Be prepared to take a step back and lower your expectations. Never get angry or frustrated with your pet—this will only serve to confuse or scare them.

French Bulldogs have a reputation for being a bit obstinate and hard to train. However, with patience and consistency, you can train your French Bulldog using positive reinforcement methods. Remember that it may take a while for your French Bulldog to learn a new command, so take your time and keep practicing.

Black and White French Bulldog Lying on Green Grass
Image Credit: freestocks.org, Pexels

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a training technique that uses rewards to increase the likelihood of the desired behavior. In order to train a French Bulldog, you will need to use positive reinforcement techniques. Rewards can include treats, praise, or petting. It is important to understand that positive reinforcement is key when training a French Bulldog.  When your dog exhibits desired behaviors, be sure to provide positive reinforcement promptly and consistently. This will help your dog associate the desired behavior with a positive outcome and increase the likelihood of him displaying that behavior in the future.

Negative reinforcement, which involves punishing your dog for bad behavior, is not as effective and can even lead to problems such as aggression. Research has shown that positive reinforcement is an effective way to train dogs because it helps them learn new behaviors more quickly and makes them more likely to repeat those behaviors in the future.


5. Begin With Treats, Progress to Clicker or Praise

The first step in training a French Bulldog is to make sure they are motivated to learn. This can be done by rewarding them lavishly with treats at the beginning, gradually introducing using a clicker to mark positive behavior, to praising them verbally over time. Once the dog is eager to perform tricks for treats, these commands should be practiced regularly in a variety of environments to ensure the dog is well-trained. Food and praise work well together as rewards, but be careful not to overfeed your pup. Obesity is a major problem in French Bulldogs.

Clicker training can also be effective, as it helps the dog understand exactly what behavior earned them the reward. Over time, you should begin to use treats less and less, and reward with the clicker and praise most of the time.

Giving Treat French Bulldog
Image Credit: María Fernanda Pérez, Pixabay

6. Be Firm

To train a French Bulldog, it is important to be firm with them. You must consistently enforce rules and rewards them when they obey. If they disobey, you must be consistent in correcting them. French Bulldogs are intelligent dogs and will quickly learn what is expected of them. With patience and persistence, you will be able to train your French Bulldog to be a well-behaved member of your family. Dogs are pack animals and look to their leader for guidance. If you are not assertive, your dog will not respect you and will be more difficult to train. Start by establishing rules and limits and make sure all family members enforce them.

If you are trying to correct a particular behavior, such as jumping up on people, rather than shouting or hitting your dog, begin by teaching your puppy to sit instead. Be consistent with your commands and rewards, and again, remain patient while training your furry friend.


7. Have Fun

First and foremost, make sure that you are having fun while training your dog. This will keep both of you motivated and working together as a team. Be enthusiastic when you’re teaching them and reward them with treats and praise when they do something good. You should also adjust your tone of voice to be upbeat and loving as this will help your dog stay engaged and motivated throughout the training process. Bonding with you will keep your dog interested and engaged in the process and make it more likely to obey your commands. Be creative and have fun with it—your Frenchie will appreciate it!

Girl playing with French Bulldog
Image By: Myléne, Pixabay

8. Exercise!

French Bulldogs need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. The importance of exercise for training a French Bulldog cannot be overstated. A dog that is physically active will be mentally sharper and better able to learn new commands. In addition, regular exercise will help keep your Frenchie healthy and fit.

Some good exercises to do with your French Bulldog include playing fetch, going for walks, and running in the park. The French Bulldog is a breed of dog known for its playful and mischievous personality. A lack of exercise can result in a number of behavior problems, such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging. The best way to ensure that your French Bulldog stays healthy and well-behaved is to make sure he gets plenty of exercise.

French Bulldogs, like other brachycephalic dogs, tend to suffer from breathing issues due to their short muzzles. It is recommended that you let them take the lead on the level of exercise while out and about. Be mindful of the fact that brachycephalic dogs do not pant effectively and therefore are prone to overheating. It’s best to exercise your dog early and late in the day when the temperature is cooler.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, training a French Bulldog can be a lot of work but it is definitely worth it. These dogs are loving, loyal, and intelligent creatures that make great pets. By following the tips provided in this article, you can help your Frenchie become a well-behaved member of your family. If you are interested in owning a French Bulldog, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder who will help you get started on the right foot.

See Also: Are French Bulldogs Good for First-Time Owners? The Interesting Answer!


Featured Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock

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